Give to me your leather, take from me my lace…

THIRSTY THURSDAY: To Shrink or not to shrink? .03

I have a joker for a client that weekly sends me some laughable way to confirm our appts – like, “Hey – Are we still on for today, shrink?” or “Am I a lost cause or are we still on to tackle my emotional issues?” It seriously cracks me up. He will not use my name, to him I am “Shrink”. Not sure I’ll ever get used to that without chuckling. 🙂

Yesterday I got to meet with him and a few other clients for the last time. It was a long, full, deeply powerful day of processing – one last time… bittersweet to say the least. I’ve grown attached to them and their journeys… it’s hard to say goodbye to this season. The therapeutic relationship is truly a sacred space, a connection of healing and growth together like I’ve never known. It is powerful. It is life changing. It is humbling. And after today, in the way I have known it so far… it is over.

Afterwards, I was in need of my own remedy – I could have bawled my eyes out at the thought of moving on to the next season, but instead I turned up the Crowder and jumped on the treadmill and thanked God for the mark they have left on my life. The precious lives God has placed on my “couch” the last few months are seriously some of the most beautiful people I have ever known. I’m eternally grateful for all they have taught me.

To thirst for something is to desire it… to want it. My clients are thirsty. They want more out of life and they are willing to do the internal work to realize their dreams and goals and greatest potentials. They inspire me something FIERCE.

For what it’s worth – here’s my 3 cents on counseling:

PENNY #1: BRING LIGHT TO DARKNESS

Anything left in the dark will always have some control over us. Whatever we are shameful of or fearful of or anxious about the enemy can use against us and will do so all the days of our lives if we will let him.
BUT!!
THIS. RIGHT HERE. is why I believe that just simply speaking out what is bottled up inside or hiding behind a wall, can bring healing to the heart. As long as we tuck things away or brush our junk under rugs – the enemy has a handle on us. But LIGHT! Darkness cannot exist with light. Just crack a door open and the tiny sliver of light floods the room. The light of the Lord, given the opportunity to shine on a thing, will always dispel the darkness.
Counseling is simply this:

A SAFE PLACE TO PROCESS LIFE HONESTLY.

A therapeutic relationship is a sacred space of light. Get some.

PENNY #2: The Power of Two

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. ~ Matthew 18:20

We always talk about this scripture relating to prayer… but that’s kind of small minded of us to think God is every talking about one thing. So, as I have seen this very word of God manifest in therapy sessions – It’s pretty simple:

2. Together. In His Name. —-> HE SHOWS UP. And where His presence is, HIS POWER IS.

Lyrics of the day…a la Indigo Girls

So were okay ~ Were fine ~ Baby I’m here to stop your crying Chase all the ghosts from your head I’m stronger than the monster beneath your bed Smarter than the tricks played on your heart We’ll look at them together then well take them apart Adding up the total of a love that’s true ~ Multiply life by the power of two

Penny #3: ERRRRRBODY SHOULD BE IN COUNSELING.

Every. Body.
Of course that’s just my opinion. 🙂
I truly believe if you can breathe – you can benefit from therapy. And if you are married – all the more! It’s not about fixing something when it’s broken.

Therapy is about stopping to smell the roses – looking around for both beauty and danger on your personal path of life. It’s about processing life as it happens, repairing cracks along the way instead of piling pain on top of pain.

Just like we take care if our physical body, skin, teeth, hair, nails… we should be taking precious care of our mind, soul, and spirit.I’m SO grateful for the growing awareness that mental, spiritual and emotional growth/ health is as important as physical, financial and professional growth/health!

FYI: A therapist’s job is NOT to tell you what to do, but to be your safe place that is all yours – a place you can be vulnerable, experience revelation, and bring your junk into the light. And, as the layers peel back, in divine moments, you may come to discover the core of who you are, which is among the most beautiful experiences I have ever witnessed. Incredible stuff.

“It’s not too difficult to get the skeletons out of the closet with people, but to get the gold out is a different matter. That is therapy.

Psychology is the Art of finding the gold of the spirit.”
-Robert Johnson